Actually, there is really no such thing as an espresso coffee bean per se. "Espresso" refers to the method of making the coffee, not to the bean itself. However, many coffee roasters market particular roasts as "espresso roast", using beans that have qualities that are conducive to the production of crema. Many think of an espresso roast as being dark, but this is also not necessarily the case. The main thing to look for in a roast that is going to be used for making coffee using the "espresso method" is that it generates good crema. Other than that, you need to find a blend that appeals to your personal taste, be it a light, medium, or dark roast.
How I Improved My Espresso Coffee and Saved Money by Buying Quality Espresso Beans Online
Another great roaster I happened upon recently is Espresso Vivace Roasteria based in Seattle. While visiting Seattle recently, I was given a bag of their Vita espresso roast, and it was exquisite in flavor and crema production. I just ordered 3lb of beans from them, including the Vita roast and their other espresso roast called "dolce". I must say that both are good, but that my personal preference is for "vita".
Of course there are many other options available out there. Illy always gets rave reviews, but I personally think you have to pay too much for the brand in that case. Cafe Maison actually advertises as making roasts that taste just like Illy's. Right now for my favorite online coffee bean retailer, it's a toss up between Cafe Maison and Espresso Vivace Roasteria. Both roast excellent espresso beans and offer great service and reasonable pricing.
For years I always hoped that I would be able to find some great beans at Amazon. I tried a few, some were really bad, such as "Eight O'Clock" coffee beans. Copper Moon Guatemalan Antigua Blend are pretty decent and I have recommended them, but I always hoped for some Ethiopian Yirgacheffe beans as these are my favorite varietal for espresso, but for a long time there were none available at Amazon until I finally found these Coffee Masters Gourmet Coffee, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe in early 2013. As of this update in November 2015, I still have these on monthly order through Amazon's Subscribe and Save program. Take that as my seal of approval as I have never stuck with a line of beans this long before.
Please note that I have absolutely no affiliation with Espresso Vivace other than as a satisfied customer of both. I am however a member of the Amazon Affiliate program. But everything I recommend from Amazon is only after I have made my own purchase of the product. As I mentioned about, I continue to purchase the Coffee Masters Gourmet Coffee, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe on a monthly basis because I find they meet my taste preferences and always allow me to make espresso coffee with perfect crema without fail.
For years I always hoped that I would be able to find some great beans at Amazon. I tried a few, some were really bad, such as "Eight O'Clock" coffee beans. Copper Moon Guatemalan Antigua Blend are pretty decent and I have recommended them, but I always hoped for some Ethiopian Yirgacheffe beans as these are my favorite varietal for espresso, but for a long time there were none available at Amazon until I finally found these Coffee Masters Gourmet Coffee, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe in early 2013. As of this update in November 2015, I still have these on monthly order through Amazon's Subscribe and Save program. Take that as my seal of approval as I have never stuck with a line of beans this long before.
Please note that I have absolutely no affiliation with Espresso Vivace other than as a satisfied customer of both. I am however a member of the Amazon Affiliate program. But everything I recommend from Amazon is only after I have made my own purchase of the product. As I mentioned about, I continue to purchase the Coffee Masters Gourmet Coffee, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe on a monthly basis because I find they meet my taste preferences and always allow me to make espresso coffee with perfect crema without fail.
Please see this post for details of my recommendation for Copper Moon Guatemalan Antigua Blend that I mentioned above. Depending on personal taste, you may prefer these beans: Great Value Coffee Beans Suitable for Espresso.
Hi. I like your Blog. I have an automatic espresso machine and the retailer warned me not to use oily beans and go with a medium roast. Any recommendations?
ReplyDeleteHi Dee. Here is a recommendation for some great beans for making espresso with, available through Amazon at a very good price.
ReplyDeletePlease see my post Great Value Espresso Beans .
Do you have any recommendations for a dark roast bean that would work well for expresso. I know you said they aren't the best but I really enjoy darker roasts, so I was wondering if there was any that make a good expresso?
ReplyDeleteHi Tyer,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I can't recommend any dark roasts for espresso. If the oils from the beans are evident on the outside of the bean - meaning the beans are glossy and oily - in my experience you just can make good crema.
Also, you may find that if you use dark roast beans, when you remove the portafilter from the machine, the puck will remain stuck to the microscreen. Then it's a big mess getting it out of there. If you are making a second cup for someone else, it's not a good scene.
If you really want to give it a shot, why not start with a dark roast that you can get at a local store and see how it goes.
--John
Hello John,
ReplyDeleteWhich beans or roast would work best in an aeropress machine like this
http://www.moreflavour.co.za/coffee-making-products/aeropress
and should the beans be ground very fine or left more to the coarse side?
Thanks for the great blog and quality info
Hi Reine.
ReplyDeleteI've never used an Aeropress so can't really say one way or the other. I read their product description and noted that they said it didn't matter how you ground your beans, that it worked equally well with any grind. I would just start out in the middle and do a little bit of experimenting up and down the scale and see if you can find the "sweet spot" that meets your personal taste. Good luck and I'd love to hear back from you once you have given it a try.